Doctors have observed an increase in pediatric multisystem inflammation syndrome (MIS-C) in COVID-19 patients, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
The reason for the sudden rise in MIS-C is unclear, although the rise comes just after the US experienced a spike in coronavirus cases during the winter, potentially increasing the likelihood of serious illness.
“We’re getting more of these MIS-C kids now, but this time it looks like a higher percentage of them are really seriously ill,” said Roberta DeBiasi, chief of infectious diseases at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. the times.
Symptoms of MIS-C include fever, rash, red eyes, and gastrointestinal problems, and in some cases heart disorders can develop.
While the number of cases is on the rise, MIS-C remains rare, the Times noted. About 2,060 cases and 30 deaths in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and DC have been registered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, the median age of patients who have MIS-C is 9, with most patients between 1 and 14. However, cases have been observed in patients as young as 1 and as old as 20.
Most cases have occurred in children of color, the CDC noted, with 69 percent being Hispanic, Latino, or Black. Fifty-eight percent of the patients who developed MIS-C were male.
While daily coronavirus cases are declining, the more contagious species in the UK and South Africa are believed to be a new threat in the US.
Recent research has indicated that the British variant may be more deadly, although current vaccines are believed to be effective at protecting against it. However, the South African variant appears to be more resistant to current vaccines.
As the Times noted, most young people survive contracting COVID-19 and return to relatively healthy conditions, but health experts still don’t know what ongoing health effects will be seen. Vaccines are currently unavailable for most children in most states, as primary care workers, nursing home residents, and the elderly are prioritized.